Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction opened with a bang this evening, selling the highly anticipated 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa racer for a new world record price of $16,390,000 (hammer price: $14,900,000).

Chassis number 0666 TR was the very first Testa Rossa built. It featured known continuous ownership history from new, raced under the Scuderia Ferrari colors in period, and was given Ferrari Classiche certification in 2008.

Bidding started at $10m and quickly passed the $13m mark to resounding applause in the room. The final $16.39m total bested the previous all-time high seller — another ’57 Ferrari 250 TR — which sold for $12,402,500 at RM’s Maranello auction in May 2009.

Across town, RM’s Mercedes 540K Special Roadster made a big splash, selling for a stong hammer price of $9.68m. Other notable RM sales included a 540K Sport Roadster at $2.97m,a 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta at $3.35m, and a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB at $5.28m. Comprehensive results will be available in the coming days, along with more highlights from Monterey car week.